10 Things to Do with Your Family in Tenerife

Teide National Park is named after the highest mountain in Spain, which towers at 3,718 metres above sea level. This massive part of Tenerife's landscape is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 12 Treasures of Spain. The easiest way to reach the peak is by cable car – waiting for you at the top are extraordinary views across the island. On a clear day, you can even see across to the neighbouring Canary Islands.

Other parts of Teide National Park worth exploring include Roques de García, a surreal landscape filled with strange lava formations, and the volcanic craters covering the secondary peak of Pico Viejo (3,135 metres). There's also a traditional shepherd’s house converted into an ethnographic museum. Remember to wear a few extra layers – temperatures on the mountain are significantly lower than at the coast.

See everything from tortoises to jaguars to seahorses at Loro Park, which covers 33 acres in the northern part of Tenerife. Kids will love the shark tunnel, which allows you to walk underwater and see the sharks swimming all around you. There are live shows featuring killer whales, dolphins and sea lions, as well as films about nature at the indoor cinema.

Loro Park houses the world's largest collection of parrots. They love parrots so much at Loro that there's a baby parrot station where you can learn about how to care for chicks, visit a parrot museum, and watch a show demonstrating their intelligence and extraordinary problem-solving abilities.

Museum of Science and the Cosmos in Tenerife is a fun, modern museum that's all about making science accessible for kids of all ages. You can drive a cosmic telescope through space in search of lunar objects or try to find your way through a labyrinth of mirrors. Since Tenerife is a world-renowned stargazing destination, it’s no surprise to find a first-rate planetarium here.

The museum concentrates on interactive exhibits rather than objects. Divided into a series of themed rooms, the museum has a wide array of displays on everything. from the principles of a lever to the way human organs work. There are tons of fun experiments that kids can try out, as well as workshops and interesting guided talks.

The volcanic black sand of Tenerife's beaches is famous around the world, but there's also plenty of traditional golden sand to play around on. There are more than 64 km of beaches across the island to choose from, ranging from lively resorts to tranquil coves and nature reserves. The warm weather means comfortable swimming all year round.

The 1.6-km-long Playa Las Teresitas is a peaceful haven with several cafes and seafood restaurants but otherwise relatively untouched. In the south, Playa de Los Cristianos is slightly more energetic, with children's play areas and beach volleyball opportunities. El Médano is popular with water sports enthusiasts, where older kids can try out kite- and wind-surfing.

Siam Water Park, a wonderful Thai-themed water park, makes for an action-packed day of fun in Tenerife. It's an exciting alternative if your kids are tired of the beach and want to try something different. The 4-acre theme park has a good blend of high-adrenaline adventure and gentle rides to entertain kids of all ages.

Highlights of Siam Water Park include the terrifying Dragon vertical slide and the ultra-competitive Naga Racer slides, as well as the Lost City obstacle course. Other options for thrill-seekers include the fast-flowing Mekong Rapids and the laser light show inside Vulcano water slide. For parents, the fine white sand of Siam Beach is a great place to relax.

Forestal Park lets you swing through canopies while enjoying the magnificent pine forests of the Las Lagunetas protected landscape. There are 11 different zip lines - the longest spanning 230 metres – throughout the adventure park. It’s also a wildlife haven and you may spot sparrowhawks and canaries in the trees during your visit.

You can test your courage on Tarzan swings, suspension bridges, climbing walls and hanging nets. The basic family course takes around 2 hours to complete while another more challenging course takes 3 hours. Kids older than 5 can take part as long as they're accompanied by an adult. Visitors age 13 or over can tackle the courses independently.

The temperate waters around Tenerife are home to more than 20 different species of dolphins and whales. One of the best ways to see these gentle creatures is by enjoying a boat tour of the Atlantic Ocean. Bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales live in these waters all year round, while the winter months are best for spotting humpback and blue whales.

Most tours depart from the ports in Costa Adeje or Los Cristianos – you can enjoy engrossing commentary by marine experts and free refreshments and snacks throughout the journey. You'll get the chance to see parts of the beautiful Tenerife coastline in comfort and swim in the ocean before returning to shore.

Observatorio del Teide (Teide Observatory) is one of the best places to stargaze in the Northern Hemisphere. Scientists from all over the world often come to Tenerife to study the stars. There's very little light pollution and during clear weather conditions, the area has a clear view of even the faintest stars and breathtaking views of the Milky Way.

Tours start at sunset and include breathtaking views of the sun setting over the rugged peak of Mount Teide. Astronomical guides will walk you through some incredible aspects of the solar system and you'll get the chance to look through the powerful observatory telescopes, before going outside for a proper stargazing session in the open air.